Suzuki Shows Off its Sporty Swift S-CONCEPT in Geneva

Suzuki, with a smidgen of vigor instilled by Volkswagen's investment and interest, brought its Swift S-CONCEPT to the 81st Geneva International Motor Show this year.

Building on its hot hatch heritage, Suzuki's Swift S-CONCEPT is the manufacturer's attempt to remind people that they're still around in the segment. Although this concept is based on the latest Swift (which debuted in Europe in 2010), the S-CONCEPT is lower and wider than its regular production counterparts. Scroll down for the specs.

Suzuki added just the right amount of sporty styling under that garish yellow, such as revised fascias, new lights, a large rear wing and fifteen-spoke 18's wrapped around beefy 225/45 R18 tires. Inside are sport buckets and seating for four accented by carbon fiber trim. Put together, these factors have created a neat little hot hatch that looks the part. No word on what's lurking under the concept model's hood - if there's anything, that is.

Designed to go up against cars like VW's Polo GTI and Ford's upcoming Fiesta ST, this sporty concept is a looker that should...should...be able to compete globally. Will we see it in the US? HA! Only if VW's all-powerful leaders decide that Suzuki belongs Stateside. Here's an idea, V-Dub: take on Scion.

By Phil Alex

"Technical data:
Length: 3,890 mm
Width: 1.755 mm
Height: 1,475 mm
Wheelbase: 2,430 mm
Engine: M16A (1.6 L)
Drive: Front wheel drive
Tires: 225/45R18
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Color: Lightning Yellow Pearl (Geneva 2011 Special Edition)"

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Suzuki to Preview Hot Hatchback in Geneva with Swift S-Concept

Ever since Suzuki presented the latest generation of the Swift in the summer of 2010, we were wondering if the Japanese automaker had any plans to add a sportier version to its supermini's range. Well, it appears that Suzuki does have something in mind as the company will be exhibiting a new concept car named the SWIFT S-CONCEPT at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

All we get for now is a teaser rendering showing the latest Swift sub-compact dressed in a new and more aggressive outfit with blistered front wheel arches, a new front bumper and grille design, unique headlamps and exterior mirrors plus a large roof wing.

According to Suzuki, the overall development concept was to create "a stylish sport compact with premium performance." Apparently we'll have to wait until the Geneva Salon to find out what the Japanese automaker has up its sleeve.

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Suzuki R3 Concept Proposal for a Six-Passenger Compact MPV Debuts at New Delhi Auto Show

This year's Auto Expo in New Delhi, India, is turning out to be a crowd puller as many automakers chose the show to unveil an array of concept and production models designed with the domestic market in mind. Maruti Suzuki took the covers off the R3, a Compact Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) that was penned at the firm's Research and Development Department in India.

Despite its compact size, the futuristic looking concept model can accommodate a total of six passengers in three rows of seats. Suzuki didn't release any more details on the R3, but it has been speculated that the concept model may base a production version in the very near future.

Suzuki Alto Dresses Like a Fish for International Green Week Fair in Berlin

Being the only car manufacturer that will participate at the forthcoming International Green Week in Berlin, Suzuki wants to make a splash at the fair with a custom made Alto. The Japanese automaker covered its mini car in a vinyl wrap (or at least it looks like a wrap) with a design that imitates fish scales and to top it off, they also added a... tail fin. Billed as the world's largest fair for food, agriculture and horticulture, the International Green Week runs from January 15 to 24 in Berlin.

Tokyo '09: Suzuki Showcases Swift Plug in-Hybrid and SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle

At the Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki exhibited its latest 'green' concept studies for the future including a Swift with Plug-in Hybrid and an SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV). The hybrid version of the Swift is a supermini aimed at city dwellers that travel around 20 km (about 13 miles) a day and has been designed to be driven primarily on electric power.

It is equipped with 600cc engine that is used to charge a lithium-ion battery that powers an electric motor if capacity level drops. The batter can also be charged through any domestic plug socket.

Suzuki did not release any performance or fuel economy figures nor did it say if it intends to produce the Swift Plug-in Hybrid in the future.

The other 'green' study on display at Suzuki's Tokyo Motor Show booth is the is the SX4 FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) which combines a General Motors-sourced high performance fuel cell with a Suzuki developed high pressure hydrogen tank and a compact capacitor that is used to recover energy during braking and using it to reduce fuel cell loading under acceleration.

The SX4 FCV is currently under test on public roads in Japan as Suzuki plans to to commercialize the car in the near future.

Suzuki Swift Plug-in Hybrid

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Suzuki SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle